Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 8:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 8:25 p.m.

Julia Hockenberry told a crowded room about the numerous options she could've considered to celebrate the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County's 20th birthday on Wednesday afternoon.

There were skating rinks, inflatables and a host of other ideas, but instead, as board members, donors and club members gathered to sing "Happy Birthday," they were treated to colorful table cloths, balloon displays and cupcakes.

"We kind of scaled it down," she told the crowd.

Nevertheless, the staff members were definitely celebrating, and they had one audience in mind.

"I think it's awesome," Executive Director Kevin Lauritsen said of the party. "We try to never forget that it's always about the kids."

And that's what Tom and Sue Fazio had in mind when they came up with the idea of creating a Boys and Girls Club in Hendersonville. The couple approached longtime board member and friend Dave Adams about the idea of creating a safe, educational place for kids to spend their afterschool hours.

The Fazios wrote a check for $75,000, and that became the budget for the entire first year of operations.

After nine months of buildup, the club opened its doors at Green Meadows Community Center. There were eight kids the first day, current Board President Dave Adams said. One of those eight was former Executive Director Scottie Parks.

Since opening in that 2,000-square-foot room, the club has expanded to 36,000 square feet feet of buildings, and more than 7,000 children have come through the doors.

Adams is amazed at what the club has been able to do over the years and credits a dedicated staff that is educated and willing to reach out to the children they serve.

"It wasn't just overnight," he added.

Sue Fazio is also thrilled with what the club has accomplished in two decades. The Fazios have remained involved, serving on the board for the last two decades.

When the club first opened, Sue Fazio taught art classes. She has a doctorate in education and an art degree. She remembers those days well.

The success rate originally was based on overcoming negative factors such as poor grades, but today's success rate is based on the number of kids who are going to college and graduating.

The club's succes in those areas has reinforced that "it was a good idea" to start the club, Sue Fazio said, adding that the success was based more on a group of people "staying committed."

Lauritsen had a different take. He thinks the success comes from the club's founders and the three principles they instilled in the framework of the organization — serving the kids who need the club the most; having access to the club for only $5 per year; and changing children's lives.

The actual answer lies in a mixture of the past and present, but most important, Hockenberry said, is that the organization is ready to focus on the future.

"We know who we are, we know what we do best and we're ready to focus our efforts on serving our population and to take it to the next level," she said.

<p>Julia Hockenberry told a crowded room about the numerous options she could've considered to celebrate the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County's 20th birthday on Wednesday afternoon. </p><p>There were skating rinks, inflatables and a host of other ideas, but instead, as board members, donors and club members gathered to sing "Happy Birthday," they were treated to colorful table cloths, balloon displays and cupcakes. </p><p>"We kind of scaled it down," she told the crowd. </p><p>Nevertheless, the staff members were definitely celebrating, and they had one audience in mind. </p><p>"I think it's awesome," Executive Director Kevin Lauritsen said of the party. "We try to never forget that it's always about the kids."</p><p>And that's what Tom and Sue Fazio had in mind when they came up with the idea of creating a Boys and Girls Club in Hendersonville. The couple approached longtime board member and friend Dave Adams about the idea of creating a safe, educational place for kids to spend their afterschool hours. </p><p>The Fazios wrote a check for $75,000, and that became the budget for the entire first year of operations.</p><p>After nine months of buildup, the club opened its doors at Green Meadows Community Center. There were eight kids the first day, current Board President Dave Adams said. One of those eight was former Executive Director Scottie Parks. </p><p>Since opening in that 2,000-square-foot room, the club has expanded to 36,000 square feet feet of buildings, and more than 7,000 children have come through the doors. </p><p>Adams is amazed at what the club has been able to do over the years and credits a dedicated staff that is educated and willing to reach out to the children they serve.</p><p>"It wasn't just overnight," he added.</p><p>Sue Fazio is also thrilled with what the club has accomplished in two decades. The Fazios have remained involved, serving on the board for the last two decades. </p><p>When the club first opened, Sue Fazio taught art classes. She has a doctorate in education and an art degree. She remembers those days well. </p><p>The success rate originally was based on overcoming negative factors such as poor grades, but today's success rate is based on the number of kids who are going to college and graduating. </p><p>The club's succes in those areas has reinforced that "it was a good idea" to start the club, Sue Fazio said, adding that the success was based more on a group of people "staying committed."</p><p>Lauritsen had a different take. He thinks the success comes from the club's founders and the three principles they instilled in the framework of the organization — serving the kids who need the club the most; having access to the club for only $5 per year; and changing children's lives.</p><p>The actual answer lies in a mixture of the past and present, but most important, Hockenberry said, is that the organization is ready to focus on the future.</p><p>"We know who we are, we know what we do best and we're ready to focus our efforts on serving our population and to take it to the next level," she said.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>